We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

10 Best Budget Projectors 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Epson Pro EX9270 Wireless 1080p 3LCD Projector, 4,100 Lumens Color and White Brightness, Apple AirPlay, Miracast, Stream from Phone and Laptop, 2 HDMI Ports, 1.6x Optical Zoom, Built-In Speaker

The Epson Pro EX9270 is a budget-friendly projector that excels in brightness and image quality. With 4,100 lumens of both color and white brightness, it performs well even in well-lit rooms, making it a solid choice for presentations or casual movie nights. Its Full HD 1080p resolution ensures sharp, clear images, which is a step up from many lower-cost models. The projector can display images up to 300 inches, offering a large viewing experience that’s great for group settings like classrooms or small offices.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,368
Brightness (Lumens)
Resolution
Connectivity

Most important from
202 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
The projector delivers outstanding brightness and vivid colors, making presentations look sharp and professional even in well-lit environments.
Resolution
The Full HD resolution combined with high brightness creates crisp, clear images that truly elevate presentation quality.
Connectivity
Connecting to laptops is seamless, and adjusting image size, focus, and keystone correction is straightforward, simplifying setup for any space.
Built-in Speakers
Audio from the built-in speaker is adequate for basic needs, though pairing with an external Bluetooth speaker greatly enhances sound for larger or noisier settings.
Portability and Size
The projector’s portability strikes a good balance—light enough to transport easily without sacrificing performance or features.
#2
9.4 score

Epson Home Cinema 3800 4K PRO-UHD 3-Chip Projector with HDR

The Epson Home Cinema 3800 stands out in the budget projector category, delivering impressive features that cater to home cinema enthusiasts and casual gamers alike. With its 4K PRO-UHD resolution, this projector excels at producing sharp, vibrant images, thanks to its advanced 3LCD technology, which prevents color issues often found in lower-quality models. Its brightness rating of 3,000 Lumens ensures that it performs well in various lighting conditions, making it suitable for daytime viewing without losing image quality. The contrast ratio of up to 100,000:1 enhances the depth of blacks, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.

Rating
9.4
Resolution
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
655 reviews

Resolution
The Epson Home Cinema 3800 delivers an incredibly bright and sharp 4K HDR image, making it a noticeable upgrade from older 1080p projectors.
Brightness
The Epson Home Cinema 3800 delivers an incredibly bright and sharp 4K HDR image, making it a noticeable upgrade from older 1080p projectors.
Contrast Ratio
Despite initial concerns about minor lens scratches, the projector produced beautiful and engaging 4K visuals with wonderful contrast.
#3
8.5 score

Optoma HD39HDR High Brightness HDR Home Theater Projector | 120Hz Refresh Rate | 4000 lumens | Fast 8.4ms Response time with 120Hz | Easy Setup with 1.3X Zoom | 4K Input | Quiet Operation 26dB

The Optoma HD39HDR is a compelling choice for a budget projector, particularly for home theater and gaming enthusiasts. It boasts a high brightness level of 4000 lumens, ensuring a vibrant and clear image even in well-lit rooms. With a 1080p resolution and support for 4K input, it delivers sharp and detailed images, enhanced further by the HDR10 technology for better contrast and color depth.

Rating
8.5
Resolution
Brightness
Lamp Life

Most important from
555 reviews

Resolution
The picture quality is fantastic, even with lights on, showcasing vibrant 1080p resolution.
Brightness
This projector performs well even in brightly lit rooms.
Lamp Life
The economical bulb life is impressive, lasting years with consistent use.

Top 10 Best Budget Projectors 2025 in the United States

Epson Home Cinema 3800 4K PRO-UHD 3-Chip Projector with HDR

Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Brightness: 3,000 Lumens
Contrast Ratio: 100,000:1
Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI 2.0
Portability: 15.2 pounds

Optoma GT1080HDR Short Throw Gaming Projector | Enhanced Gaming Mode

Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 3800 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 50,000:1
Throw Distance: 4 feet
Lamp Life: 15,000 hours
Connectivity: USB, HDMI
Portability: 6.61 pounds

Optoma EH401 Compact Standard Throw Professional Projector, 1080p with 4K HDR Input, High Bright 4,000 Lumens

Brightness (Lumens): 4,000 lumens
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Throw Distance: about 13 feet for 120-inch
Connectivity: 3.5mm Audio, HDMI, USB
Built-in Speakers: Yes
Portability and Size: Compact, heavier than ultra-portable

Optoma HD30LV 1080p Full HD Home Projector

Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 4500 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 22,000:1
Throw Distance: 13 feet for 120-inch
Connectivity: USB, HDMI
Portability: 6.35 pounds
How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

Buying Guide for the Best Budget Projectors

Choosing the best budget projector can make a huge difference in your home entertainment or work experience without breaking the bank. The key is to match a projector’s features to your intended use. Are you planning to watch movies, play games, present slides in a small room, or take it on the go? Understanding your main uses will help you decide which features truly matter, ensuring you get the most value and the right level of performance for your needs.
Brightness (Lumens)Brightness, measured in lumens, tells you how much light the projector can produce. This is important because a brighter projector will display clearer and more visible images in rooms that aren't completely dark. Lower brightness, around 1000-1500 lumens, is suitable for dark rooms with controlled lighting—great for movie nights in a home theater. Medium brightness, about 2000-3000 lumens, is better for spaces with some ambient light, like living rooms with shaded windows. High brightness, over 3000 lumens, is best for daylight viewing or larger rooms. To decide what’s right for you, consider the lighting in your typical viewing area; if you can darken your space, lower lumens are fine, but for flexible and daytime use, aim higher.
ResolutionResolution refers to how many pixels your projector displays, which affects image clarity and sharpness. This is important because higher resolution means more detailed pictures, making it ideal for videos, presentations with small text, or gaming. Common options are SVGA (800x600), XGA (1024x768), and HD (1280x720 or 1920x1080). Lower resolutions are cheaper and can work for basic presentations or casual viewing, but might look blurry for movies or detailed visuals. If you care about watching films or seeing fine details, try to choose a projector with at least HD resolution.
Throw DistanceThrow distance is how far the projector needs to be from the screen to create an image of a certain size. This matters a lot depending on your room layout. Short throw projectors can be placed close to the screen (about 3-6 feet) and are ideal for small rooms or limited space. Standard throw projectors need to be several feet back (8 feet or more) and work well if you have a larger room. To pick the right one, measure your space and check if the projector’s throw distance fits your setup. If you’re not sure where you’ll use it, a more flexible throw distance might be best.
ConnectivityConnectivity describes what types of devices you can plug into your projector, such as HDMI, USB, VGA, or wireless options. This is important because it affects how easily you can connect your laptop, game console, speaker, or streaming device. Some basic projectors have only simple inputs like VGA or USB, suitable for older laptops or basic media. More versatile models support HDMI or Wi-Fi, making them more compatible with recent electronics. Think about what devices you plan to use most with your projector, and make sure it has the right ports for those without needing extra adapters.
Lamp LifeLamp life is how long the projector’s light source will last before needing replacement. This matters for cost and convenience, as longer lamp life means fewer bulb changes and less maintenance. Shorter lamp life (under 5,000 hours) works if you’ll use the projector only occasionally, like movie nights or special events. Longer lamp life (over 10,000 hours) is better for frequent use or if you want to avoid the hassle of replacements. Estimate how many hours per week you’ll use the projector to help decide how important this is for you.
Built-in SpeakersMany budget projectors include built-in speakers for convenience, but their sound quality can vary and often doesn’t match external speakers. This feature is important if you want a quick, all-in-one setup or need portability, like for outdoor movie nights or classrooms. If you’re an audiophile or plan to use the projector for movie marathons, you might prefer a projector that allows you to connect to better external speakers. Consider how you’ll use the projector and what sound quality you expect when weighing this feature.
Portability and SizePortability is about how easy it is to move and set up the projector. Smaller and lighter models are easier to carry to different rooms or even outside, making them good for travel or multi-purpose use. Bulkier projectors might offer more features but are better suited to a permanent setup. If you want flexibility or plan to use the projector in different places, choose a compact, lightweight option. If it will stay in one spot, portability matters less.

FAQ